Top 7 Deceptively Disturbing Kids' Movies

Think Disney is all love and rainbows and princesses finding their destiny? Think again.

The argument over Disney princesses has been circled numerous times by the blogging community, so I’m not going there today. Instead, I’m talking about that moment that you pop in a Disney movie for your toddler, thinking it’s all a-okay for movie night and then an hour later, he’s in tears and you’re kicking your own tail for not remembering the plot.

I’m positive I’m not the only on who’s been there, right?

Hercules was our first run with that when Harrison caught site of the gazillion-headed monster that Hercules fights. He screamed and I wanted to throw myself down that monster’s throat for forgetting about him and how he gets..um, beheaded. Several times. To put it delicately. Needless to say, we stuck with Cars and Robin Hood for quite awhile after that.

A few months ago, we found Fox & the Hound, which was a childhood favorite of mine. My husband worried that it would be too disturbing for Harrison, but I never thought it was sad as a little girl. I guess it is, but I didn’t blink an eye or neither did Harrison. Point? Every kid reacts differently. But these are the movies that I would give pause before choosing them for toddler movie night:

Sleeping Beauty 1 of 7

As a little girl, this was my favorite movie although it took years for me to be okay with the end battle where the evil witch turns into a fire-spewing dragon and Prince Phillip throws his sword straight into her heart. Definitely disturbing.
Buy Sleeping Beauty on Amazon

Bambi 2 of 7

This movie is sweet with the baby animals, but when Bambi's momma is shot, it can be scary and confusing for little ones. Bambi's father isn't loving or gentle, so his stern demeaner can also be off-putting.
Buy Bambi on Amazon

The Beast roars at Belle, wolves attack twice, & there's an epic battle at the end where someone gets stabbed and the other one flies off a cliff.
Buy Beauty & the Beast on Amazon

Dumbo 5 of 7

Chains to hold the animals down, taunting from the others, being separated from his mother...Dumbo is not for the sensitive child.
Buy Dumbo on Amazon

Fox & the Hound 6 of 7

A darling tale of friendship that teaches lessons in standing up for what's right, but the road to get there can be a little frightening for Tod the fox. Also, skip this one if you're anti-kids-seeing-guns as hunting plays a big part in the plot.
Buy Fox & the Hound on Amazon

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